Linguistic Borrowing and Cultural Significance : Analysing the Impact of Dholuo Figures of Speech on Olusuba Folksongs and Abasuba Cultural Identity
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Abstract
- Abstract
- en This article discusses the dynamic interplay between language contact, cultural exchange, and expressive forms of communication within the multicultural societies of Abasuba and Luo living in Kenya. From a socio-pragmatic perspective of signification of figures of speech in Olusuba traditional folksongs, we elaborate on a social context that manifests and inducts the socio-pragmatics of linguistic borrowing, particularly figures of speech (FOS), from Dholuo into Olusuba traditional folksongs. Unique to this study is that in the Olusuba speech communities, speakers are found to communicate non-literally to convey ideas and/or knowledge borrowed from the Luo community. The analysis was grounded in the Semiotic Theory (Barthes 1983) and constructed around de Saussure’s Theory of Meaning (1916) which proposes that language is a union of signs whose relation between their physical and symbolic distinction is arbitrary and thus attains its meaningfulness through the rules of convention. An ethnographic research design was adopted and a qualitative analysis of linguistic features and thematic content in Olusuba folksongs was employed to examine how borrowed FOS contribute to the expressive power and cultural significance of these songs, particularly in conveying themes related to nature and socio-economic activities shared by the Abasuba and Luo communities. Additionally, the study investigates the broader implications of integrating borrowed FOS into Olusuba folksongs on the preservation and evolution of cultural identity among the Abasuba people. In this endeavour, intact cultural groups of Abasuba people in natural settings were interviewed on Dholuo-oriented Olusuba folksongs alongside non-participatory observation during the performance of the folksongs. The results, for example, revealed the use of linguistic symbols whose semantics have been induced by Olusuba-Dholuo contact. This research sheds light on the intricate relationship between language contact, cultural exchange, and identity formation in multicultural societies, offering insights into the complexities of linguistic and cultural dynamics in diverse communities.
Subjects
People & roles
- list of editors
- Faye, Malick
- Place of publication
- Bayreuth
Origins & context
- Title
- Linguistic Borrowing and Cultural Significance : Analysing the Impact of Dholuo Figures of Speech on Olusuba Folksongs and Abasuba Cultural Identity
- Publication type
- Working paper
- Language
- English
- Funded by
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
- Date
- 2024
- Number in series
- 51
- pages
- VI, 22
- Number of pages
- 22
Identifiers & sources
Full text
- Full text
- 51 University of Bayreuth African Studies WORKING PAPERS Billian K. Otundo & Walter Sande, 2024 Linguistic Borrowing and Cultural Significance Analysing the Impact of Dholuo Figures of Speech on Olusuba Folksongs and Abasuba Cultural Identity 51 University of Bayreuth African Studies WORKING PAPERS Linguistic Borrowing and Cultural Significance Analysing the Impact of Dholuo Figures of Speech on Olusuba Folksongs and Abasuba Cultural Identity CC-BY 4.0 Billian K. Otundo & Walter Sande, 2024 ii Institute of African Studies (IAS) The University of Bayreuth African Studies Working Papers are published by the Institute of African Studies (IAS) in Bayreuth, Germany. The IAS promotes African Studies at the University of Bayreuth by supporting scholars from a wide range of academic disciplines from almost all faculties. It facilitates cooperation between researchers and institutions engaged in Africa-related projects, as well as teaching, both on campus and around the world. The IAS consists of three central bodies: the Iwalewahaus, the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence, and the Africa Research Center (Forschungszentrum Afrika), which is currently under construction. The Working Papers give scholars the space to present empirical studies, theoretical reflections, and report preliminary findings, ongoing projects, and current research. The Working Papers usually reflect works-in-progress and invite discussion and feedback. Submitted papers are subject to internal review at the University of Bayreuth. Contributions may be submitted to the editor-in-chief: Dr. Malick Faye (IAS@uni-bayreuth.de) The University of Bayreuth African Studies Working Papers feature on the EPub document server at the university library: 2005 - 2018 https://epub.uni-bayreuth.de/view/series/Bayreuth_African_Studies_Working_Papers.html 2018 - ongoing https://epub.uni- bayreuth.de/view/series/University_of_Bayreuth_African_Studies_Working_Papers.html Institute of African Studies Director:… Read the full text about 9,596 words
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